The departure of Tom Hicks Jr from Liverpool's board of directors yesterday will have no impact on the running of the club and nor will it do much to appease fans opposed to the American owners.

Supporters' group Spirit of Shankly, who have led a vociferous and pro-active campaign against Hicks' father Tom Sr and George Gillett, will see the departure as a small victory in their ongoing battle to force a change of ownership.

However, in reality life continues as normal in the boardroom as Hicks Jr had little involvement in the day-to-day running of the club.

And one Hicks Sr ally has been replaced by another when it was announced Casey Coffman, executive vice-president of Hicks Holdings, would be joining the Liverpool board and that of parent company Kop Holdings.

Liverpool's chief financial officer Philip Nash and commercial director Ian Ayre have also been elected to the board of both companies but all the power remains with Hicks and Gillett.

At least they have been seen to have done the right thing by ensuring the swift departure of Hicks Jr after the latest public relations blunder to strike the American owners, whose unfulfilled promises of a new stadium, transfer funds for boss Rafael Benitez and the public courting of Jurgen Klinsmann as a prospective new boss have alienated fans during nearly three years' ownership.

The former director was left with little room for manoeuvre after sending an obscenely-worded email to a supporter who contacted him directly about the state of the club and their finances which was then made public.

"I have great respect for Liverpool Football Club, especially the club's supporters," said a Hicks Jr statement to Press Association Sport.

Hicks Jr, who reportedly called the fan an "idiot" and in a subsequent email said: "Blow me f*** face. Go to Hell. I'm sick of you", added: "I apologise for my mistake and I am very sorry for my harmful words.

"I do not want my actions to take away from the club's future, therefore I am resigning from the board.

"To the fans and to the club, please accept my sincerest apologies."

A short, straightforward statement from the club confirmed the changes at boardroom level yesterday.

"Liverpool Football Club announce that Thomas Hicks Jr has resigned as a director of both the club and its parent company Kop Holdings," said the statement.

"Three new directors have been elected to the boards of both companies.